Swiss football fans are pinning their hopes on voodoo ahead of Thursday's crucial Euro 2004 game against England.
A cut-out effigy of David Beckham has been published in dozens of Swiss newspapers, with readers encouraged to stick needles into the England captain.

"Give the English pains in their legs on 17 June", reads the tongue-in-cheek ad - part of a campaign to promote Swiss advertising agencies.

"Let's rip this page out and stick in nails, needles and staples," it adds.

Elie Peter, news editor of Switzerland's biggest-selling daily, Blick, said: "It's the game of the tournament for Swiss fans. We really want to win this."

England must win to stand any realistic chance of proceeding to the knock-out stages, following their defeat in the opening game against France.

Meanwhile the hopes of underdog Switzerland have been raised by their 0-0 draw with Croatia.

Voodoo has in the past been used by sports fans as a psychological aid.

Ahead of last year's rugby World Cup final, a newspaper in host country Australia printed cut-out voodoo dolls of England star Jonny Wilkinson.